Ag Related Minors

Minors provide students with the opportunity to gain additional knowledge and a more diverse background to complement their academic program. These options are available as an elective to any student who is enrolled in a Bachelor of Science degree program at Michigan State University as long as the minor is outside of the student's degree program.

Minor in Agronomy

The Minor in Agronomy is designed to serve students with majors in fields other than Crop & Soil Sciences who are interested in agronomy and who plan to pursue careers in agriculture for which a basic familiarity with the science of cropping systems is important. The minor will provide an opportunity for students to gain a fundamental understanding of the science of food production, including crop management, soil management, and plant breeding and biotechnology. For additional information, please contact Karen Renner renner@msu.edu .

Minor Requirements:

All of the following courses: (9 credits)

CSS 101 Introduction to Crop Science - 3 credits

CSS 101L Introduction to Crop Science Laboratory - 1 credit

CSS 210 Fundamentals of Soil Science - 3 credits

CSS 488 Agricultural Cropping Systems - 3 credits

One of the following courses: (2 or 3 credits)

CSS 222 New Horizons in Biotechnology - 2 credits

CSS 350 Introduction to Plant Genetics - 3 credits

CSS 441 Plant Breeding and Biotechnology - 3 credits

One of the following courses: (2 or 3 credits)

CSS 135 Crop Scouting and Investigation - 2 credits

CSS 151 Seed and Grain Quality - 2 credits

CSS 201 Forage Crops - 3 credits

CSS 212 Advanced Crop Production - 2 credits

CSS 251 Organic Farming Principles and Practices - 3 credits

CSS 288 Principles of Weed Management – 3 credits

CSS 302 Principles of Weed Management - 3 credits

CSS 424 Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems - 3 credits

CSS 431 International Agricultural Systems - 3 credits

CSS 467 Bioenergy Feedstock Production - 3 credits

One of the following courses: (2 or 3 credits)

CSS 330 Soil Chemistry - 2 credits

CSS 340 Applied Soil Physics - 2 credits

CSS 360 Soil Biology - 3 credits

CSS 470 Soil Resources - 3 credits

Minor in International Agriculture

This International Agriculture Minor seeks to increase student understanding of global agriculture, particular agriculture-related problems and issues in developing and developed nations, and issues related to sustainability and stewardship of the Earth. Students who complete this minor will be prepared for effective employment in the arena of international agriculture and/or multinational firms. For additional information, please contact Dr. Sieg Snapp snapp@msu.edu.

Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems Minor

The Minor in Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems is designed to foster active learning about agriculture and food systems for undergraduate students from different disciplinary backgrounds. Contemporary agriculture and food systems issues will be considered in biological, ecological, social, and economic contexts. For additional information, please contact Julie Cotton cotton@msu.edu.

Minor in Horticulture

The Minor in Horticulture is designed to provide an opportunity for students to gain a fundamental understanding of the science of horticulture and tailor their studies to food production, greenhouse and nursery crops, landscape design and management, or plant breeding and genetics. For additional information, please contact Susan Gruber and/or refer to the Department of Horticulture section of the MSU Academic Programs Catalog.

Minor in Nutritional Sciences

The Minor in Nutritional Sciences, which is administered by the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, will broaden students’ understanding of the science of nutrition and the relationships between food and health. For additional information, please contact Dale Romos and/or refer to the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition section of the MSU Academic Programs Catalog.

Minor in Plant, Animal and Microbial Biotechnology

The minor provides the opportunity for students who are enrolled in biological science–related undergraduate programs to become familiar with the concepts, techniques, and issues related to modern biotechnology. The minor is designed for students who may be planning to pursue graduate study in biotechnology–related disciplines or who may be interested in careers with corporations or agencies for which a basic familiarity with biotechnology is a prerequisite. For additional information, please contact Susan Gruber and/or refer to theMSU Academic Programs Catalog.

Minor in Technology Systems Management

The Minor in Technology Systems Management, which is administered by the Departments of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering, serves students interested in technology for management decision support who are pursuing careers in agriculture and natural resources. The minor provides an opportunity to gain a working knowledge of technologies necessary to monitor and manage aspects of food, agriculture, and natural resource systems. For additional information, please contact Dr. Luke Reese at reesel@msu.edu and refer to the MSU Academic Programs Catalog.